The purpose of this case study is to illustrate the evidence-based adaptations made to gait training to improve functional mobility in a patient with global visual deficits following a post-cardiac arrest brain injury (PCABI). Background: Cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, typically due to PCABI’s. A common aftereffect of PCABI is onset of visual deficits or loss. Visual input plays a crucial role in balance and gait training, thus affecting functional mobility. Patients referred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) undergo intensive therapy with the goal of optimizing functional mobility. Adaptations to typical gait training strategies are necessary when visual deficits are present. Case Description: A 55-year-old male was admitted to an IRF following a PCABI and was found to have ongoing physical and visual deficits. Interventions: During the patient’s stay at the IRF, physical therapy sessions focused on gait training with verbal and tactile cueing, vestibular training in various positions and proprioceptive training with the goal of improving functional mobility and independence. Outcomes: Upon discharge, the patient exhibited improvement in majority of functional mobility tasks, assessed using the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility-Patient Assessment Instrument (IRF-PAI) 4.0. The patient discharged home with 24/7 supervision from family. Discussion: Previous studies have shown that verbal and tactile cues influence gait mechanics and muscle activation. Addition research has shown that visual balance training in half kneeling and quadruped had a positive effect on overall balance, likely through increasing reliance on vestibular and proprioceptive input for balance. These concepts were used to inform intervention selection for the patient and offer an illustration of how evidence from translational research can help guide clinical practice.
Dissertation
Gait Training Strategies to Address Functional Mobility in Patient with Visual Deficits Following Post-Cardiac Arrest Brain Injury: A Case Report
University of Iowa
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
Autumn 2023
Free to read and download, Open Access
Abstract
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Gait Training Strategies to Address Functional Mobility in Patient with Visual Deficits Following Post-Cardiac Arrest Brain Injury: A Case Report
- Creators
- Nicole Durkee - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Shauna Dudley-Javoroski (Advisor) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Case Report
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science
- Date degree season
- Autumn 2023
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 9 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2023 Nicole Durkee
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Case Reports
- Record Identifier
- 9984560248802771
Metrics
6 File views/ downloads
18 Record Views